Rogers



(Nd Model) I. N. ROGERS.

RULER.

No. 540,272. Patented June 4, 1895.

ISAAC N. ROGERS, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

RULER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 540,272, dated June 4, 1895. A lication filed July 24, 1894. Serial No. 518.490. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ISAAC N. ROGERS, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city, county, and State of New York, have invented 5 a certain new and useful Improvement in Rulers, of which the following is a specification.

Referring to the drawings, Figure l is a front View of my improved ruler. Fig.2 is a I sectional view on line X X, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the same. Figs. 4. and 5 show modifications of my improved ruler.

My invention relates to rulers, and it consists in the novel construction of the edge thereof, as hereinafter described, whereby the ink holder or absorbent tank is independent of the ink drop inclined surface, formed under and behind the'straight edge of the said ruler.

Referring to the drawings; the ruler A in this case is shown made from sheet metal formed in the shape illustrated by bending the same. I am aware that the ruler can be made out of wood or part wood and part metal. In practice I shall adopt the sheet metal construction.

a is the base or flat portion of the ruler which rests on the paper. The back edge e thereof serves as a paper cutter, and the upper surface ofthis edge is marked off into inches and half inches, 850. See Fig. 3. The front edge 0 of this base is formed into a trough b by bending at right angles upward the outer edge. (See Fig. 2.)

The straight edge f of the upper part or body I) of the ruler, against which the pen travels is made to extend slightly beyond the edge 0 of the base see Fig. 2 for the purpose of preventing the latter interfering with the 40 movement of the pen. This straight edge f should be, about one quarter of an inch (more or less) above the base for the purpose of separating the straight edge from the trough as will be made clear hereinafter. The upper part b from the straight edgef is bent to form the inclined surface 9 which is a short member reaching or nearly so to the middle of the trough. (See Fig. 2.) The extreme outer surface or edge of g should be raised above the trough. (See Fig. 2.) The other part of the portion 01 is inclined upward, bent into a curve or rounded, and then terminating inwardly on an incline to the base where it is fastened in any suitable manner; the point of fastening forming the rear wall of the trough.

To absorb the ink that falls into the trough from the drop-guiding inclined surface g of the straight edgef, I place therein a strip of blotting paper 0 or any other absorbent material.

It will be readily understood thatwhen the pen travels along the straight edge f and a drop of ink should adhere to same .from off the pen, it would be instantly by gravitation carried along the inclined surface 9' to the extreme outer edge thereof, where it would drip 01f into or upon the absorbent material in the trough. This effectually removes the ink. from the straight edge, never again to return, to interfere with the pen. In order that this benefit might be obtained it was, and is indispensable that the trough be placed away and independent of the straight edge part of the ruler, otherwise there is a tendency of the ink returning to the straight edge should the trough and said straight edge be joined.

A thermometer s is secured on the top of the rounded part or portion at as shown for the purpose of adding to the further usefulness of the same.

Fig. 1 shows a ruler constructed after my design and with my improvement attached.

Fig. at shows how my improvement can be placed upon and attached to the ordinary flat ruler. In this case the base piece m, with trough 'n, is fastened on the under side of the ruler T. The angle piece q is inserted in a slot in the ruler, as shown, and the relation of piece q toward piece m is precisely the same as already set forth. A'blotter 'r can,

can be placed between the members of the bent metal at. The modification of Fig. .5 will the said base as shown, said body provided along its outer or front surface with a straight edge extended beyond and raised above the outer edge of the trough as shown; said body also provided with an ink drip guiding incline surface extending inward or rearward from the said straight edge, and terminating at and above the center of the trough of the base a as shown and for the purpose substantially as set forth.

2. In a ruler the base a provided along its front edge 0 with the trough b; the upper or body part d secured along its rear edge or surface to the base a, and provided along its front edge or surface with the straight edge f extending beyond and placed above the outer edge or surface of the trough b: said .body also provided with an ink drip guiding incline surface 9 extending rearward from straight edgef and terminating at and above the center of the trough 19 substantially as and for purpose set forth.

3. In a ruler, the upper part or body 61 pro vided with a straight edge f along its front surface, and an ink drip guiding incline surface g extending rearward from straight edge f: said body along its rear edge or surface secured to the base a which is provided along its front edge 0 with a trough (2, arranged relatively to the said straight edgef, and incline surface g substantially in the manner shown and described.

4. In a ruler the combination of the following parts: the base a provided along its front edge 0 with the trough 19 containing an absorbent material, along its rear edge (which serves as a paper cutter) with inch, half inch and quarter inch marks; the upper part or body d, shaped as shown, secured along its rear edge to the said base a, which, connection besides joining the parts, forms a rear wall to trough b: the said body provided with a straight edge f, along the front surface, extending beyond and placed or raised above the outer or front edge of the trough b and said body also provided with an ink drip guiding incline surface 9 extending rearward from the straight edge f and terminating at and above the center of the said trough b, all arranged substantially in the manner shown and described.

ISAAC N. ROGERS.

Witnesses:

JOHN CABLE, J OHN MOILREE. 

